Whenever we think of purchasing lubricant for our vehicle, we always prioritize quality. After that’s met, comes the compatibility and other factors. Most of the time, we’d like to look for options among popular manufacturers.
But does engine oil brand make a difference?
Yes, engine oil brands can make a difference since such lubricants are made of high-quality additives with improved formulations. Off-brands mostly use ingredients and fillers that can harm your engine. So, engine oil brand matters.
However, there’s still a “BUT”.
What's Inside:
Brand Name Motor Oil Vs. Generic
Motor oil comprises common ingredients including petroleum hydrocarbon base stock and different additives. However, having similar contents doesn’t mean the lubricant will be identical. Even a small change can change its properties. This may make the fluid different from others but what about the quality?
Are all engine oil brands the same quality? No, brands manufacture engine oil their way which makes the quality different. It mostly depends on factors like process of production; kinds and grades of contents used in the lubricant; and blends of contents.
However, while branded oils have some fans, generic ones attract people with tight budgets.
Branded Motor Oil
They are most likely to have a high level and class of additives. This helps prevent oxidation, reduce sludge formation, and keep the engine well-lubricated.
Plus, their lubricant is supposed to be licensed by API (American Petroleum Institute). This is like a certificate to show that the oil has been thoroughly tested and meets the API standards to ensure quality.
Not just that, the lubricants of popular manufacturers also draw attention of experts. Hence they are heavily researched to give us more insights about them. For instance, this study on Pennzoil.
Although their steeper price is a con, the lubricants can still fail to perform effectively.
Generic Engine Oil
They may meet minimum API specifications. However, they mostly use inexpensive ingredients that make them achieve lower price points. Some can also be recycled which would just last up to 3,000 miles.
Because of being generic, it’s tough to do investigations on each lubricant. Hence, we get skeptical about their reliability. However, some lubricants can still work better than those of popular brands. So, if the oil weight, viscosity, type, and certification match what your vehicle requires, then it’s safe to get one even if it’s non-branded.
Top 3 Brands Of Engine Oil
- Pennzoil Motor Oil
Pennzoil was started by Michael Late Benedum and Joe Trees but now is owned by Shell plc. Their lubricants comply with the specs of API SN PLUS category. Not only are they formulated to resist severe conditions but also made of natural gas that keeps the engine clean.
- Valvoline Motor Oil
It’s a company by Ashland Incorporation. Most of their lubricants can efficiently decrease friction and sludge buildup. Plus, they claim to perform all five tests for both API and ILSAC petrol categories in their engine test laboratory.
- Castrol Motor Oil
This British company was started by Charles Wakefield. Their motor oil formulation is claimed to meet the required standards under the API SN PLUS specifications. They say their oil can work well in different situations that put severe stress on the engine.
Is It Bad To Change Oil Brands?
No, as long as the grade/viscosity of lubricant is the same or better and it matches the specs/ API ratings the company recommended, switching motor oil brands wouldn’t be bad.
However, a change in grade can affect performance to some extent. Lower quality and incompatible viscosity will cause damage to the engine. Meanwhile, using the right type of lubricant or upgrading to one with better formulations will benefit the engine in long term.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which Brand Of Oil Is The Best For Engine?
Pennzoil brand offers oils that can suit the engine well. Their synthetic lubricants are made from natural gas and are 99.5% free of impurities.
As for the product, the Platinum engine oil can be a good option to consider. It gives protection against friction and extreme heat while ensuring smooth oil flow regardless of different temperatures.
- Can You Mix Engine Oil Brands?
Yes, you can blend engine oil brands as long as the grade and viscosity are similar or better and the API rating matches. For instance, you can mix Pennzoil with Quaker State if the instructions are properly followed. It wouldn’t cause damage to the engine. However, mixing lubricants of different grading will surely be risky for your vehicle.
- Which Motor Oil Brands Should You Avoid?
Here are 3 of the motor oil brands that you should avoid since they don’t meet API or ILSAC standards.
- Xpress Lube Pro: Low-quality additives.
- Mileage 365 Motor Oil: Contain abrasive materials.
- Questron Motor Oil: Don’t come with viscosity grading and are highly volatile.
Final Words
Even if brands are popular, do check whether their lubricants meet all the standards. Plus, they should use additives of quality since that determines overall performance. However, if you find a generic motor oil that has everything your engine needs, you can surely go for it.
Make sure you don’t use products that can do all. Because some are also made to work with lawnmowers, chainsaws, and weed eaters apart from vehicles. These lubricants typically lack the kind of ingredients required by the motor.
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